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This review systematically examines the characteristics and effectiveness of randomized controlled trials with aerobic physical activity (PA) interventions tailored to South Asian Indians (SAIs). PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Google Scholar were searched. The search yielded 1,842 studies; 11 met the criteria. The Center for Evidence-Based Medicine's critical appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of studies. Studies that used supervised structured PA sessions, educational material in SAI languages, motivational strategies, and positive reinforcement for goal setting, reported significant improvement in PA (p <.05; Cohen's d ≤ 0.3 to >0.8). Future PA studies in India featuring SAIs would benefit from clinic-based one-on-one structured aerobic PA interventions. In contrast, SAI immigrants in Western countries would benefit from community-based structured aerobic PA interventions that are offered in groups and culturally adapted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To identify barriers to and facilitators of older South Asian Indian-Americans' (SAIAs') engagement in behaviors associated with advance care planning (ACP). Methods Using a descriptive qualitative design guided by the transcultural nursing assessment model, data were collected in focus groups of community-dwelling older SAIA participants, SAIA family caregivers, and SAIA physicians. A directed approach using predetermined coding categories derived from the Transcultural Nursing Assessment model and aided by NVivo 10 software (Melbourne, Australia) facilitated the qualitative data analysis. Results Eleven focus groups with 36 older SAIAs (61% female, 83% 70+ years old), 10 SAIA family caregivers, and 4 SAIA physicians indicated prior lack of awareness of ACP, good health status, lack of access to linguistically and health literacy-tailored materials, healthcare provider hesitation to initiate discussions on ACP, trust in healthcare providers' or oldest sons' decision making, busy family caregiver work routines, and cultural assumptions about filial piety and after-death rituals as major barriers to engaging in ACP. Introducing ACP using personal anecdotes in a neutral, group-based community setting and incentivizing ACP discussions by including long-term care planning were suggested as facilitators to engage in ACP. Clinical Relevance The study's findings will guide development of culturally sensitive interventions to raise awareness about ACP among SAIAs and encourage SAIA older adults to engage in ACP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo compare the prevalence rates of obesity based on BMI/anthropometric measures, using WHO standard and ethnicity-specific criteria, the National Cholesterol Education Program–Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions, among a migrant South Asian Indian population.DesignCross-sectional study conducted in October 2007.SubjectsA total of 213 participants of South Asian descent over the age of 18 years. Measures included a questionnaire with basic demographic information and self-reported histories of diabetes, coronary artery disease and/or hypercholesterolaemia. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference and blood pressure measurements were obtained.SettingHouston and surrounding suburbs.ResultsWHO-modified (WHO-mod) BMI and IDF waist circumference (WC) criteria independently identified higher numbers of overweight/obese participants; however, when the WHO-mod BMI or IDF WC criteria were applied, nearly 75 % of participants were categorized as overweight/obese – a proven risk factor for the future development of metabolic syndrome.ConclusionsObesity is likely under-diagnosed using the standard WHO and NCEP-ATPIII guidelines. Stressing the use of modified criteria more universally to classify obesity among South Asian Indians may be optimal to identify obesity and help appropriately risk stratify for intervention to prevent chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background/Objectives:Vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency is common in Indians and a major contributor to hyperhomocysteinemia, which may influence fetal growth, risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this paper was to study the effect of physiological doses of B12 and folic acid on plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration.Subjects/Methods:A cluster randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 2 × 3 factorial trial, using the family as the randomization unit. B12 was given as 2 or 10 μg capsules, with or without 200 μg folic acid, forming six groups (B0F0, B2F0, B10F0, B0F200, B2F200 and B10F200). Plasma tHcy concentration was measured before and after 4 and 12 months of supplementation.Results:From 119 families in the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study, 300 individuals were randomized. There was no interaction between B12 and folic acid (P=0.14) in relation to tHcy concentration change and their effects were analyzed separately: B0 vs. B2 vs. B10; and F0 vs. F200. At 12 months, tHcy concentration reduced by a mean 5.9 (95% CI: −7.8, −4.1) μmol/l in B2, and by 7.1 (95% CI: −8.9, −5.4) μmol/l in B10, compared to nonsignificant rise of 1.2 (95% CI: −0.5, 2.9) μmol/l in B0. B2 and B10 did not differ significantly. In F200, tHcy concentration decreased by 4.8 (95% CI: −6.3, −3.3) μmol/l compared to 2.8 (95% CI: −4.3, −1.2) μmol/l in F0.Conclusion:Daily oral supplementation with physiological doses of B12 is an effective community intervention to reduce tHcy. Folic acid (200 μg per day) showed no additional benefit, neither had any unfavorable effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing in Asian Indians globally. In this article, we review published studies of interventions designed to prevent T2DM or improve self-management in South Asian Indians. A PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, EMBASE, Psycinfo, Family & Society Studies Worldwide, Web of Science, and Consumer Health Complete search was conducted using the following search terms: type 2 diabetes mellitus, Asian Indian continental ancestry group, therapy, treatment, management, care, intervention, self-care, exercise, diet, and lifestyle. The review included pilot or full intervention studies examining the prevention and/or management of T2DM and qualitative studies analyzing the influence of various ethnic factors on the prevention and management of T2DM. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. They examined the influence of culture and religion and the effectiveness of individual and community-based education and lifestyle improvement programs, exercise, and complementary therapies. Few programs led to the improved long-term management of T2DM. Further research is needed to develop ethnic-specific interventions., (© The Author(s) 2014.)